Customer Reviews

Legendary 1984 Moscow Concert / Chopin Piano Ctos

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As I listened to this recording, I held back tears, shook my head, put my head in my hands, closed my eyes, then opened them and stared at the photo on the front of the album, trying to reconcile the picture of the boy with the slender arms and rounded cheeks with the power I heard. His left hand plays with the power of a strong adult, his right hand plays with the fleetness, accuracy and nuances of a top-flight pianist. But his technique is not the whole story. Kissin, even at the age of 12, plays with a coherence that I don't remember hearing from any other pianist of any age. He does not play phrase by phrase, or even movement by movement; it is all one story. It is the first CD I've listened to over and over without tiring of it. With each hearing, I discover new things that take my breath away: the way his left hand plays these difficult turns, the expressive dynamics that maintain perfect control, the delicacy here, the power there, and so on. After hearing this CD, I plan to purchase at least one Kissin CD per month until I have them all.

As an amateur pianist myself, I have enormous respect for professional musicians, having played many of the same pieces that they play. In the case of this recording, I have enormous respect for a mere boy of 12 years who is performing 2 (yes 2!) of the most challenging concertos in existence. To make it all worse he is doing it well! Though Kissin's 12 year old recording lack's the developed maturity - and passion - that he brought to the performance of the same pieces in Lincoln Center for his American Debut,it is a remarkable achievement for a 12 year old, and one of the reasons I recommend this recording so highly. The other reason - it's just a plain good recording. Though Argerich's recording, recenty re-released, is certainly more interesting, I would say that this recording is a must own, because of the sheer technical wizadry that Kissin displays as a 12 year old. Also, in the less romantic movements (the non-largo movements, i.e. stay out of movement #2 in both Concertos) Kissin's youthful enthusiam brings interesting color that deserves a listen. This is a must own recording...if for no other reason than to stare at the little boy so obviously in command of the piano on the jacket cover and gasp in amazement.

Although perhaps not the artistically most striking interpretation, this record is outstanding, really for two reasons: The recording technique is excellent, you really feel as if you were sitting in the concert hall, and secondly, the slightly naive but straight-to-the-point playing of Mr. Kissin. Despite the fact that I am not a fan of his recent recordings, this one (especially the first concerto) is enormously satisfying.

To imagine a boy of 14 playing these concerto's just perfectly is just amazing. These are the best recordings of the two chopin's around. And just beautiful and wonderful. His technical abilities and performance are outstanding. A must buy for all chopin lovers and anybody who loves classical music.

I find that I return to these recordings as often as I do to any others I have. And it's not just because I marvel that a 12-year-old kid could play so well. The marvel is that he is so musical. One quickly forgets his age, and revels in the music.

In this recording of the 2 Chopin concerti, Kissin does a very fine job. His articulation and dynamics pull you in to the story behind the music. This is not the best live performance that I have heard of the 2 concertos, but for someone only 12 years old, it is very amazing to experience the flow of the music. Just remember that this is a live performance and there are minor slip-ups once in a while. Before you listen to any of his other recordings, I suggest you hear this. It gives a full background of where his current recordings are coming from.

This is indeed a true legendary performance by a virtuoso in such a young age. Both conterti were full of youthful exuberance and energy. The maturity and technique exhibited in this perofrmance by a 12 year old are simply beyond the words.

However, Kissin's interpretation of the two conterti are drastically different from the classic of Rubenstein and Argerich. These two performed the two concerti in a more reserved and graceful style, which simply let the music to express itself. Whereas Kissin injected more youthful energy and perhaps his personal interpretation into the works.

It's been a long time since this recording was made. I'd think if Kissin were to perform these two works again, it will resemble more to the Rubenstein's or Argerich's work as he has matured even more.

I truly enjoyed this CD, with one reservation. That is, whenever I feel like to imagine how Chopin could have played the works himself, I'd still come back to Rubenstein or Argerich.

I mean talking generally who doesn't love to listen to child-prodigies playing the most demanding compositions that exist among the piano repertoire. And not only that, Yevgeny Kissin has all the necessary attributes (maturity, technique, lyricism, etc... etc...) to perform those compositions. I am aware that he doesn't reach Martha Argerich's caliber with this performance, but in my humble opinion I am convinced that this is a exiting, breathtaking, unparallel performance! Imagine how Chopin himself would react if he had the ability to watch/listen this kid playing his 2 concertos in a night with such a flawlessness. Proof of a genius this performance for Yevgeny Kissin!
Now there is a demand/complaint I want to share with you: This performance was recorded back In March 1984. BMG took this content under the license of Firma Melodiya and digitally remastered it (sound quality is very good by the way). Sony Classical GmbH released a CD from Kissin's 1987 Tokyo recital. Between years 1984-1987 Kissin performed numerous recitals that Firma Melodiya recorded & released. I really hope that BMG is going take the license for this content form Melodiya and release those things!!

This is one of the most satisfying accounts of Chopin piano concertos I have ever heard. I'm so moved, not because of his age. Just because he plays these brilliant concertos so freshly without sounding superficial. He is not as fierce as Martha Argerich, but is brighter and crisper than her. Although I do not appreciate his recent recordings, I appreciate this very much.

Evgeny Kissin is one of if not the finest pianists in the world today and one can see how he attained such stature after listening to him play at the age of 12. He plays with such maturity and passion for one so young, technically amazing.